Deanna Frost vs. Gavin Taylor

[Konrad Raab]

2 RP Limit for singles

3500 Word Limit Per RP

Deadline: 11:59:59 pm ET Thursday, August 29, 2024 (THIS DEADLINE REFLECTS A SUNDAY OR MONDAY RTG XXI POSTING)

[SnowQueenSCW]

Frost No More

”A Brief Respite”

Frost ‘Forever House’
Manhattan, New York
August 25th, 2024
2:34pm

Deanna took a long breath as she sat on the platform of one of the gargoyle statues in her backyard. She couldn’t remember what name this particular statue had, but she always liked this one the best. Partially, it was because it was the only one of two female gargoyle statues in the collection, sure, but there was just something about it. With the long hair, demonic wings and the crown that sat on its brow, there was something almost regal about it – like a demonic queen – and she’d be lying if it didn’t make her think of Selena.

Still, she didn’t gaze at it long enough to trigger that memory, merely leaning against the steady stone to sip her iced-tea through the dark blue straw, which contrasted the lime-green of the plastic cup, which contrasted her white skin and the blue-and-white plaid dress she wore, which contrasted her dark red hair flowing freely in the fall breeze. Still, none of the contrasts stopped her from enjoying her drink.

It had been a long month for the young woman. Aside from all the drama that had enfolded with Leslie and Selena and the ‘sports day’ competition/wager, the next agenda had been simply recovering for the redhead. Things in St. Louis had been… well, nowhere near what she had expected. Sure, she had managed to defeat Enigma, but it seemed the man or whatever he was had planned for that. A sigh escaped Deanna. She didn’t blame Jessica for any of it. As it was, the former SCW interviewer had been admitted to the hospital to recover from the smoke-inhalation, but even afterwards, she had refused to continue staying with Deanna in Manhattan.

I can’t put you in danger like that again… or the kids…

For that, Deanna could understand. For Enigma to gain control of Jessica so easily and so fast… Deanna had witnessed it in the replays. It had been a look. A few seconds of eye contact and Enigma had Jessica. It was frightening! It was beyond terrifying… to the point that, while she had argued back, the redhead’s rebuttals had been weak at best. Jesscia was right. Neither of them could risk the children safety. So… where Jessica was? Deanna wasn’t sure, but she did all she could to send a daily email of encouragement to her friend. Sometimes she got a small reply… sometimes not.

“I hope she’s okay…” she heard herself whisper under her breath in-between sips.

As for herself, Deanna had survived Enigma, the fire – thanks to the amazing work of CHBK, Lucas Knight and the other staff of SCW rushing to her aid. Grateful as she was, there was a twinge of frustration in the champion that, once more, she had needed someone to save her… when I was supposed to be saving Jessica from Enigma… The feeling had only compounded itself after her match with Knox. For all his brazen talk and arrogance, the man had been as skilled as he had boasted, and, in truth, Deanna had just be so zoned in on surviving the match and fighting through the lingering aches and pains from her match with Enigma and the fire the night before, that she hadn’t, originally, realized the match was over until the official was raising her hand and handing her the United States title.

It wasn’t until long after everything had settled – after Deanna had let herself be taken to the hospital after the match for a more thorough check for damage/injuries and after she had rested in a hotel in St. Louis for a few days, being off the radar from SCW and everyone in order to properly recover – only when she was done all of that and heading back to Manhattan did she turn on her computer and rewatch parts of Rise to Greatness, where she learned the truth behind her match.

JC had interfered. After months of mouthing off and baiting him, Knox had finally had karma bite him in the ass in the form of JC getting in the ring and knocking Knox down enough for Deanna to come in and nail the kill shot that was her Burnout and secure the win.

Was it frustrating? Of course it was. Out of her entire 2024 year, she had defended the United States championship about six times. Of those six? FOUR of them had ended in some kind of controversy or some kind of tainted finish, whether it was the official missing a rope break or an injury or an interference. Yet, on the flip side, there was no denying the karmic justice for that particular ending.

Maybe he’ll be a bit more humble and mind his words about ‘focusing’ next time he sees me… the redhead thought, taking another sip of her drink, turning her head towards the small lake that connected all the houses of the Black Arrow Neighbourhood.

She… was not looking forward to returning to SCW yet. Not that she wanted to stay away, but to have a month where there was no Enigma. No black smoke. No experienced wrestlers throwing popcorn at her. No friend in danger. A month where she could just recover and recharge and get healthy. She’d be lying if she said she hadn’t enjoyed it, part of her even wishing it could go on a little bit longer. A bit more time to spend with her children. Most of the month off had been focused on getting David past summer school.

After the competition-day, and Leslie Sanderson outsmarted, things had returned to a rather ‘normal’ stance. And, to her son David’s credit, the last few weeks remaining had been without incident, with all the kids in the program passing and regaining their rightful grades moving into the next year – according to Ms. Harris. And now – turning her head back to the lake to see the twelve or so kids playing the water. It had taken a few weeks after the ‘graduation’ to get this pool-party figured out with all the parents of the kids, but Deanna had managed it on her own…

On my own… her mind seemed to echo that sentence a few times as she gazed up at the sky. That was the only thing that could have made the month-long rest more worthwhile and amazing.

Selena.

To the older woman’s credit, she had survived the redhead. The former wife was certain, like 99% certain, that the platinum-blonde’s loss of the SCW world champion, at the same event she had spent six months trying to get back to to ‘undo the past’, would have driven her further into some kind of depression or bitterness… but the very next day – 24 hours later – Gerda was calling Deanna (still in St. Louis) and remarking on Selena’s bright nature. Bright-eyed and bushy tailed… that’s what she said.

It had almost made Deanna rush home to see for herself, but she resisted, keeping in St. Louis and waiting till her return to Manhattan to investigate. Sure enough, she had seen Selena teaching the class in the playground of David’s school and – Gerda was right – the woman seemed unfazed by the loss.

Maybe she’s hiding it really well… Deanna thought logically. She’s really good at hiding her true feelings. Still, the redhead had not brought up the subject, nor did she engage with Selena, instead having David come to her while she had been visiting his school and be used as a sort of ‘messenger’ to give Selena’s cardkey to the Eyrie Tower back. Good thing Leslie didn’t want it.

For the last few weeks, Leslie had made visits, trying different arguments and ‘tactics’ to try and get Deanna to give her the house the redhead currently stood within – well, stood in the backyard of. The shrill woman was relentless, coming up with a new excuse or threat every week, demanding Deanna honor the wager Selena had made with her, even threatening legal action. And while Deanna never claimed to be very knowledgeable in matters of law, she knew well enough that with no contract of the wager or anything like that, Leslie didn’t have a prayer of being taken seriously. She was rather certain that Leslie knew that too, which explained her constant visits to try and bully Deanna into surrendering the house.

But after all of that – after the last lessons and wishing her students, the ‘Cheetahs’ well – Selena had just… Deanna looked around the parking lot, seeing the food and games (basically pizza and nerf guns) she had set up for the grand celebration of the “Cheetahs’” graduation… She knew there would be no sign of her… well, her ex. After the last class and wishing her students well… she had just disappeared and hadn’t been seen or heard of since. Not on X or any social media, she was basically a ghost. Of course, the SCW Universe had been rife with thoughts and theories, some kind and creative and others focusing on it probably because she was no longer world champion and some still hoping she would never return.

Even Deanna knew better from her years of experience, but she had to admit – she didn’t like that the platinum-blonde had done this. There was no trace of her former partner. Nothing on their joint account. Nothing in terms of email or text – hell, the redhead had even walked into a fortune-telling service in the local town. That had been amusing – apparently she was some kind of red fox in another life or something. I bet I was really cute! But still, nothing on Selena. It was as if the Snow Queen had vanished off the face of the earth. And while it was somewhat frustrating to leave Deanna in charge of the kids, the redhead was more worried about the woman’s wellbeing.

“Guess I’ll know soon enough.” She whispered to herself. SCW would be back with it’s 22nd season in a few days, and for the redhead, she was already hitting the ground running with a match against Gavin Taylor, who had also been triumphant at Rise to Greatness. Though, while Deanna had chosen her method of brute force and powering through to victory, Gavin had chosen strategy that boarded on cowardice rather than grit. Still, he had overcome both JC and Dumont in his match – and without any help – which made him all the more dangerous… and yet…

Deanna couldn’t fully concentrate on him. Truthfully, she was more concerned about Enigma. The man’s message had been loud and clear. Things were hardly settled between the two of them. Deanna may have won and he may have failed in whatever the hell he was trying to do with his ‘Night maiden’ or ‘Night goddess’ or whatever he was trying to ‘bring to SCW’, but he STILL had a hold over Jessica, which meant that simply beating him wasn’t going to be enough.

Stupid of me to think that it was… Deanna thought as she finished her drink, placing the empty cup beside her on the gargoyle statue just in time to see some of the kids/former summer school students rushing up the hill, Amiliah and Elsianna with them, though Elsianna hadn’t changed into a swimsuit like the rest of them did. Deanna’s eldest daughter never really swam when there were people around to see her. She was too self-unconscious, especially when it came to her hands and forearms, keeping them gloved at all times, as she had for the past few years. The Frost parents had tried therapy for her to overcome it, but they were a defense mechanism – a safety blanket of sorts – and the therapist had strongly advised AGAINST taking that from Elsianna given her youth, insisting that it be better for Elsianna to ‘grow out of them’ on her own.

Anyway, the kids were soon standing around the table of food Deanna and Gerda had set up, mostly eating the pizza, but little Amiliah, Deanna spotted and couldn’t stop the smile as the small child held the biggest piece of watermelon she could find and bit into it, sending red water dripping off it and onto the deck below. We’re gonna get ants for sure… Deanna smiled good-naturedly, not minding in the least if that were to happen. Bugs gotta eat too!

“YUMMY!” she heard her youngest cry out in delight, her face covered in red.

“Oh, Ami…” Deanna sighed gently, immediately moving over towards the table to grab a few of the napkins placed there (under a small decorative rock to keep them from blowing away) and returning back to Amiliah’s side to wipe her face with it. “Such a messy eater.” The redhead added with a tease as she finished cleaning off the child’s face… only for the little rascal to take ANOTHER big bite into the watermelon, once more having her cheeks and jaw covered in the juice. “Amiliah!” Deanna half-laughed before trying to clean her face again, a little bit harder than the first time since the napkin was no longer bone-dry. “Could you please eat a little neater? Like this…”

Holding her hands up, Deanna mimed a piece of watermelon in her hands, taking small bites out of the ‘non-exiting fruit’ to prove her point.

“Awww…” whined the child. “That’s not how you eat watermelon! It’s supposed to be in BIG bites! Like this!” again, she took another bite, even adding some ‘nom nom nom’ sounds for good measure.

With a tired, and somewhat surrendering, shake of her head, Deanna let her daughter be, even as the child turned around and yelled. “BET I CAN SPIT A SEED THE FARTHEST!” before hawking back and spitting one of the seeds that was in her mouth, sending the little, black item flying a few feet until it landed in a nearby bush. Immediately, a few of the students were it, each grabbing their own piece of watermelon for ‘ammunition’ and spitting away towards the bush Amiliah had aimed for.

“I got further!”
“No! I did!”
“Guys see that that one?!”
“Champ right here!!!”

The cries of the students were all Deanna heard as she watched them spit away, each trying different methods to try and get the farthest distance. Some went farther than Amiliah’s, like Frog’s and Garret’s, and some didn’t. Checking the clock on her phone, Deanna remarked that the pickup time would be coming up in the next hour or so for the kids, meaning she’d be able to enjoy a quiet evening – maybe the last one she’d have for awhile once Breakdown rolled in. That reminds me… I still need to get my ride arranged to Texas… she thought for a moment, but those thoughts were interrupted by a clearing of the voice.

“Mom…” the voice was immediately recognizable to the redhead as she turned to regard her eldest daughter, Elsianna. As mentioned before, the child was not dressed in a bathing suit like the others, but rather dark green summer dress covered with black roses with a pink accent. Her hair was tied in a simple ponytail and in her hands was one of the many books she had (Deanna couldn’t see the title from the way the child held it).

“Elsa…” Deanna smiled. “Didn’t want to go swimming or eating with the others?”

Casting her gaze to the group of kids at the food table and then towards the small lake behind her, the eldest Frost child slowly shook her head.

“That’s alright.” Deanna shrugged her shoulders in understanding, though she did notice the blue straps on Elsianna’s shoulders – straps that looked more like a swimsuit than underwear. “Did you want to swim in the private pool?” she asked, seeing Elsianna’s face light up at that. While she couldn’t be seen so exposed (especially her arms) in public, Elsianna had shown a remarkable love for swimming (That and wrestling being favorite activities for her).

With a knowing nod, Deanna gestured towards the pool/gym house just up the short hill. “You know the code to get in, right?”

“Yes, mom.” The young girl nodded obediently before turning to go, but she stopped herself in order to turn back around and regard her mother. “Mom… do you…” she tried to speak, suddenly rather nervous with the question. “Do you… I mean, have you…” she kept repeating those starts in various rewordings, none of them bringing her point/question into clarity.

“Out with it!” laughed Deanna playfully. “Before I have to leave for Dallas!”
“Have you seen mother?!”

Immediately, Deanna’s smile disappeared as the question was blurted out, Elsianna instantly becoming even shyer (if that was possible).

“I just… David hasn’t seen her since the summer school program ended. Ami says she hasn’t… and I haven’t since then either… I was just… Ami and I – and David – we were wondering….” Her gloved hands fiddled within themselves.

It wasn’t like Deanna hadn’t been asked this question before by her children. When Selena had first left in her path to become “The Blue-Eyed Devil”, Deanna had had to explain it best she could. When the platinum-blonde began living in Eyrie Tower, Deanna had had to explain it there as well. But this time… it felt different and it wasn’t hard for the redhead to figure out way.

It was because Selena had finally signed the divorce papers. It was true, Deanna had them upstairs tucked away in her drawer by her bed. All of SCW was in on it, and now, it was all but official. The Frosts were divorced (soon as Deanna filed the papers, of course).

That’s what made the question different. There was no real link back to her and Selena. So a simple line like the ones she had used in the past was harder to say – felt more like a lie. Still, gulping a little, the United States Champion tried to explain.

“I…” she breathed, trying to look her daughter square in the eye. “The truth is…” she tried again to think of something – ANYTHING – to ease her daughter’s worries, but nothing was coming into her brain. With a long sigh, she settled on the only thing she could say: the truth.

“The truth is, Elsa, is that I don’t know why mother is. I wish I did because I’m worried.”
“Worried about mother?” The teenager’s eyes widened but Deanna only nodded to her at first.

“You know how she gets when she loses big matches… and when she has a lot on her mind.”

“So… did she go back to Nome?” Elsianna asked. “Cause that’s where she usually goes.”
“I don’t think so.” Deanna shook her head. “Uncle Jean and Aunt Zoe haven’t seen her.” Seeing the saddening look on her daughter’s face, the redhead quickly switched tactics.

“But don’t worry!” she blurted out. “When I go to work Thursday, I’ll look for her, okay? I’ll search high and low for her and when I find her, I’ll talk to her and get some answers, okay?”

That seemed to improve young Elsa’s mood, the girl giving a small smile before nodding her head. “Okay… can you tell her we miss her?”
“Of course I will.” Deanna nodded. “I am sure she misses all of you as well. Now hurry up and enjoy your swim. I’ll make sure no one bothers you.”

“Thanks, mom.” The eldest child gave a slight smile before quietly scampering up the stone steps towards the pool/gym house, leaving Deanna to continue watching over the kids.

“Make sure none of you go swimming for about an hour now or you’ll get cramps!” She ordered to the all the kids. “We’ve got board games inside too!”

As the kids followed her instruction, with David leading the way inside, Deanna cast one more glance out towards the lake, at first admiring the dark blue, almost black depths. But slowly, as she continued to stare unable to look away, she could not help the unnerving foreboding creeping up her spine.

She was supposed to be the Red-Manned Lioness now.
She was supposed to be the year-long United States Champion.
She was supposed to be ready for SCW Breakdown and the new season and new challengers.

“So…” she breathed slowly as she continued to stare into the waters. “Why do I feel like I’m about to drown?”

[SnowQueenSCW]

The camera opens up to reveal a shot of a lovely little lake, surrounding by trees and foliage. Some of the leaves have already began to turn more towards their autumn colors while others are still clinging to the bright greens of spring. The sun is just peaking over the horizon of the woods, allowing some of the houses off in the distance to be seen amidst their spaces, a neighbourhood build around this lake and connected by it. Panning back, the camera shot is revealed to be on a deck, one of many, that connects physically into the water. Sitting there, taking the beauty of the environment is, is Deanna Frost, the United States Champion. Her auburn hair is free flowing down her back and she wears a pair of blue jeans and a light green shirt with black sandals. Taking a deep breath to inhale the fresh air, the newly named Red-Manned Lioness opens her eyes and turns towards the camera.

So… where do we start?

She offers a warm, affectionate smile towards the camera, to the fans she is sure are watching. Hello, little gritters. Been awhile, hasn’t it? Hope everyone had a good August month! Spring vacation still going on! My kids are getting ready to go back to school too, fall is coming and SCW is back for its 22nd season!

She gives a quiet sigh, letting her assessment sink in a little.

A year ago, I had just become the United States champion, having won it off of Bree Lancaster and then retaining it from Alexis Quinne… only to hit the ground running with another title defense against Bree on the first Breakdown of the season. she gives a little tilt of her head. I remember being so nervous. Like ‘could I do it again?’, ‘Was that Rise to Greatness weekend just a fluke?’, ‘was it all going to be undone on my first title defense for a championship I had spent so many months trying to be good enough to challenge for?’.

She casts her gaze out into the lake. Now… here we are a year later… and I am still the United States champion. Over a year with the second greatest championship in this company. It’s almost – and please don’t hate me for saying this word – it just feels unbelievable. Almost unreal. Because I look back at what I went through – what we went through – from then to now.

A triple threat match.
Two elimination chamber matches.
A last woman standing match.
And more Breakdown title defenses than I can say.
All culminating into two title defenses on both the RTG pre-show and main-show.

Her small hands rub her leg. And yet…somehow… I’m still here – we’re still here. Still with the title. Now, I know that there’s a record for this title that I will probably NEVER beat but that isn’t important to me. Having the second longest reign in this championship’s  twenty year history is an honor in and of itself, not to mention having the longest reign of any title in the last eight years… she gives a shrug. Is it arrogant that I’m proud of that and humbled by it at the same time? she looks earnestly into the camera.

Just… when I began this, it was just because I loved watching my wif- she catches herself. Watching Selena wrestle and I just… I wanted to try it. I practiced in secret, staying as a manager to the public, until I felt I was good enough to try. And it’s been a crazy near three years. And to spend most of them holding some kind of a championship…

The redhead stops herself, releasing a sigh before shaking her head. I’m not really getting to the elephant in the room, am I? I’m just remarking on still being a champion, not the two glaringly obvious things that came out of Rise to Greatness regarding the championship. she gives a sigh.

And this is where I usually have to go on some spiel about ‘getting lucky’ and the last match ‘being controversial because of interference’. And it is – I won’t lie and pretend that it isn’t. But for me… it’s almost ironic. Here was a man, a veteran that bragged non-stop about his experience and me being ‘distracted’ with my other demons and it was his own that cost him the match with me. she sighs.

That… that just feels like karma. Doesn’t it, Knox? You mouthed off with me being unable to focus on you and yet… here we are. Don’t get me wrong! I’ll give you another shot any time. I’ll be happy to do it. Because as skilled as you are and as adaptable as you proved to be… I held my own. Despite what I went through the previous night, I held my own against you – a supposed ‘superior’ being. And now, that air of mystique about you is gone. Now, I see a wrestler that I can study, I can learn from. So I’ll happily prove once again that I am more than what you believe me to be. But to paraphrase you? I think you need to handle your ‘big boy problems’ before that happens. You seem to have someone that deserves your attention far more than I do…

She gives a shrug. Which brings me to the bigger elephant in the room, and the man that deserves MY attention more than anyone else does… The night before my match with Knox. The match, the attack… the fire… The redhead visibly shivers, but not from the coolness of the air. Again, you prove something to me, Enigma. You proved that simply beating you isn’t enough. Simply beating you in the ring and being better than you and your ‘shadows’ and ‘darkness’ isn’t enough to get the job done. she releases another sigh. You managed to get to me again, Enigma. I’ll give you that. Despite losing the match, you left with the last word – while I needed to be carried out.

But if you think this is over… you’re VERY wrong. her eyes narrow. Because this doesn’t end until YOU surrender your hold over Jessica Winters forever! Until you release her and never bother her again! Until your power over her are banished from SCW! I don’t… she breathes. I don’t care how it can be done and I don’t care what it will take but I will find a way… I swear it…

Taking a few breaths, the young champion adjusts her sitting position on the dock. Which leads me into Breakdown. Where I show everyone just how ‘focused’ and ‘back’ I am! Cause that’s what I’ve been asked. If I’m okay enough to come back after the matches I had. And why I’m grateful for the month off from SCW as we prepared for the new season.

Yes, to confirm, I am back and in full 100% health. And I am itching to prove it to Enigma, Knox, and to everyone! And what better way than a match? And with Gavin Taylor no less! Another victor at Rise to Greatness! I’ll give you props, Gavin! You ask anyone about who’s the best at pulling victory out of nowhere? Your name will probably come up! From Syren to just last pay-per-view, you rolled in and ‘blink and you’ll miss it’, suddenly Gavin is the winner.

Admittedly, it’s not what I would have done. I rather fight my battles with grit and determination, while you used strategy and cunning. Does that put me at a disadvantage? Able to be outsmarted? Maybe. But unlike JC and Dumont, I don’t have to worry about more than one opponent. I just have to worry about you. Which means, Gavin, that my eyes are going to be locked on you from the beginning to the end of this match. From the second the bell rings to the second ringing of the bell to end it.

And while you pulled a rabbit out of your hat once or twice at RTG in the past, gaining upset after upset, we are NOT at RTG anymore. This is Breakdown, this is the new season, and I want to start off strong, Gavin. I want to live up to Knox’s assessment of me as ‘the most dominant champion in SCW today’. I want Enigma to know the kind of ‘hunter’ and ‘predator’ that is going to be on his track from the moment the opening song for Breakdown hits! I want to make it very clear that I am not slowing down, not even by a little!

Taking a moment to let her words settle, Deanna rolls her shoulders back. You’ve been doing quite a bit of talking, Gavin. About wanting to climb your way back to the top. Where the name Gavin Taylor is spoken up in reference to ‘future challengers for the world title’. I’m sure that’s what you see this as – same way as Knox saw me. Beat Deanna – United States champion – and instant push. Like strapping a rocket to your back and setting it off. A small smile graces her lips. What you don’t realize is how much of a change that hits with me. To go from just ‘the shadow of Selena’ to someone who has some value in SCW. To go from being ‘the weaker Frost’ or ‘someone to beat to get to Selena’ to just ‘beating Deanna means something’…

Do you know why that is, Gavin? she turns her head back to the camera, tilting her head a little at the question.

It’s because of not only what’s been accomplished, but how much better I’ve gotten. To put it another way, I can count on one hand the number of losses I’ve had in 2024. The people I’ve beaten? Former world champions, legends, newcomers, rising stars – a wide-range of ‘who’s who’ in the roster of SCW today! And while some may say that’s because of tainted finishes – none of which I am proud of – the true reason is because of my grit. It’s because I keep going. Because I don’t let things like people being ‘stronger’ or ‘more experienced’ or ‘magically evil’ or whatever – I don’t let those things frighten me off. I keep fighting. I keep looking for a way to overcome what’s before me. Because, in the end, no matter how smart or strong or ‘magical’ you are – the real power comes from here…

She places a finger over her heart. And that, Gavin, is where I have you. That is what will be making all the difference in Dallas at Breakdown. A point in your mind where your All-American skill isn’t going to cut it and you’ll start relying on being crafty over, as Sharper put it, a ‘gutsy performance’. That moment where you show your brains, yes, but also your desperation. Except, this time, you won’t be sneaking in to blast your opponent with a lariat. This time, your opponent will see it coming and be meeting you with a Burnout that will leave you flat on your back, staring up at the lights!

Casting one last look at the lake, Deanna gives one last inhale and exhale of breath. It’s a new world in SCW, Gavin. Almost every top title has a new champion. New challengers. And new rules – what did they call it? The Wild Wild West? she smiles at the idea. It’s time to see where the two of us stack in this new world…

And I’ll tell you, Gavin… I don’t plan to just tip-toe into this “western”. No, sir… I plan to kick the door down and blow the roof off. Outlaw, Law-Abiding-Citizen, Sheriff, who knows where I’ll go and who this lioness will be! But one thing is definitely for certain… however I do it, it will be anything but quiet! Burnouts never are!

She smiles knowingly at the camera. Checkmate, bitches. Before everything fades completely to black.